USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 59
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GEORGE SELL,
proprietor of the Little Flour Mill, Plattsburg, is a native of Pennsylva- nia, and was born July 7, 1833. His father, Daniel, was also a native of that state, and one of its enterprising farmers. Here young George was reared and educated. He learned the milling trade at McGill's Gap, and was there engaged in the business for several years. In 1854, he married Miss Elizabeth Kephart, of that state. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living: Emma, Raphael, Laura, Charles, Horace, Leonard, Rosa and N. Fred ; lost two, Catherine and Samuel. In 1865, he came West, locating in Plattsburg, and, for five years, was in the employ of Mr. Shoemaker, as miller, and then, for one year, was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He afterwards returned, for a time, to Platts- burg ; was engaged at milling in Lathrop and in Caldwell County. In 1879, took charge of the Little Mill, and has been doing a satisfactory and constantly increasing business. He is a practical miller, priding himself on the quality of his products.
J. F. SHEPHERD,
farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, post office Plattsburg, was born in Washington County, Ohio, January 17, 1849, and came to Missouri with his father in 1861, locating in Clinton County. Here he has since resided. He owned, and cultivated for a time, what is now known as the O'Connor farm, in Atchison Township. In March, 1876, he located on his present farm, which consists of 320 acres of choice land. His residence is attractive and pleasantly located one-half mile from the corporate limits of Plattsburg. In point of stock-raising, Mr. S. is among the largest in the county. He is a genial gentleman, and popular with all who know him. In 1873, Miss Sarah E. Thomas became his wife. They have three children : Gail H., Coy J. and Daisie D.
C. W. SHEPHERD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post office Plattsburg, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Carroll County, March 16, 1850 .* He came to Clinton County with his father, in 1861. Here he was raised to man- hood, and has since resided. In 1872, Miss F. A. Guyer, daughter of Mr. Michael Guyer, became his wife. By this union they have had three children : Lena, Annie, and Georgie. He located on his present farm in 1868. The farm embraces 160 acres. His residence is situated on a gently raised eminence, a short distance west of Plattsburg, and is con- ceded by all to be one of the most desirable locations in the county. Mr. S. devotes his attention to the stock trade, in which he has been very successful.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH SHOEMAKER.
farmer and stock-raiser, section 32, post office Plattsburg, is one of the prominent farmers and most successful agriculturists in Clinton County. He was born in Pennsylvania, January 3, 1827, and lived there until eighteen years of age, and then accompanied his parents to this state, settling in Platte County. After residing there a few years he removed to this county and settled where he now lives. His farm consists of 200 acres, in a high state of cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in Northwestern Missouri, and he is a good illustration of what an industrious man can accomplish by giving his time to one subject and bending his energies in one direction. He was married April 13, 1854, to Margaret A. Young, a lady who has proved herself a most excellent manager of household affairs and her husband's best counsellor. They have six children living : John T., Annie F., George L., Harriet L., Emmet L. and Lanius. They are active members and liberal con- tributors of the German Baptist Church.
AARON SHOEMAKER,
a prominent agriculturist and stock man, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Fayette County, August 30, 1831. He came to Clinton County, with his parents, in 1846, his father, Isaac, being among the well known and representative early settlers. The subject of this sketch has since been a resident here, and has aided greatly in promoting the growth and development of this county. His landed estate consists of 434 acres, north of, and in close proximity to, Plattsburg. In point of fine stock raising and dealing, he is one of the largest in the county. He makes a specialty of fine horses, and in this important feature has done much toward advancing and bringing before the people superior animals. He is a member of the Short Horn Association, in which he takes a live interest. Mr. S. is an energetic and indomitable worker, a good financier and a man of excellent judgment. In 1880, Miss Ellen B. Heisler, a native of Ohio, became his wife.
R. C. SMARR,
proprietor of meat market, is a native of Bracken County, Kentucky, and was born November 17, 1844. His father, John H., was a native of that state, and his grandfather Reuben was from Virginia. R. C. spent his earlier days in tilling the soil, and in due time learned the carpenter and butcher trades. He was a resident of Kentucky until 1869, when he came to Missouri, locating in Plattsburg. Here he engaged in work- ing at the carpenter trade, and for a time followed railroad bridge build-
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ing. In the spring of 1871. he established his present business, which, in point of patronage, and as an excellent shop in all particulars, stands among the foremost, as Mr. S. gives the business his individual atten- tion. He is one of Clinton County's substantial and worthy citizen.s. In 1876, he married Miss Mary E. Young, a daughter of J. H. Young, of this county. They have two children : John Hampton and an infant. He is a member of the M. E. Church South, and belongs to the West- ern Mutual Benefit Association, of West Virginia, an order in the fold of the M. E. Church South.
S. H. SMITH,
farmer and stock raiser, section 36, post office Plattsburg, is one of the many old settlers and progressive and successful farmers in this district. He is a native of Kentucky, was born December 30, 1822, and was there raised to manhood and educated. In 1837, he emigrated to this state, and settled in Ray County, where he resided one year. He then moved to Platte County, where he remained three years, after which he removed to this county, and settled where he now resides. He has 360 acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. He was married December 22, 1846, to Miss Henrietta Arnold. They have four children : Jeptha D., Patrick H., Younger P. and Samuel M. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the First Baptist Church. He and his wife were originally members of the First Baptist Church of Plattsburg.
E. T. SMITH,
carpenter and builder, (bridge building a specialty.) is a native of Barren County, Kentucky, and was born April 25, 1842. His father, Daniel, moved to Clinton County, Missouri, with his family, in 1857, locating in Lafayette Township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, at which occupation the son was engaged until 1861, when he returned to Kentucky, and for two years attended school. In 1863, he tendered his services to the Confederate cause, enlisting in Company C, Second Ken- tucky Cavalry, under Captain Bowls, of Louisville, and was in the com- mand of General John Morgan. He was several times captured, but served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. After the war he returned to Clinton County. In 1866, his father pur- chased a farm on which the town of Gower stands, and when that town was laid out, E. T. was one of its first business men, engaging in the lumber trade and the handling of agricultural implements. He was also engaged in contracting and building, and erected a number of its first buildings. He was president of the first town board, and was a resident of the town until 1876, when Plattsburg became his home. Many of the substantial buildings in Clinton and adjoining counties, including resi-
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dences, churches, school houses, &c., are specimens of his skill. He does the most of his own architecture, and has attained considerable reputa- tion as a draughtsman. For the past four years he has been the county bridge builder. On the 21st of November, 1867, Miss Sarah E. Tillery, daughter of W. W. Tillery, became his wife. By this union they have five children : Hattie, Mertie, Ettie, Theodore D. and Daisy May.
A. W. STEARNS,
dealer in lumber, grain, coal, wood, lime, salt and cement, and agent for the Buckeye reapers and mowers, is a native of New York, and was born in Jefferson County, June 10, 1843. His father, Eugene, previous to the war, was a well known commission merchant in New York City. A. W. was raised to manhood and educated and resided in his native state until 1868, when he came west, and for one year, was the representative, on the road, for a Chicago notion house. In 1869, he located at Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri. where his brother, L. L., was engaged in the banking business. In 1870, he established his present business in Platts- burg. His trade has been solidly on the increase, not being confined alone to Clinton County, but it extends into Buchanan, Clay and Platte. Mr. S. knows the wants of the people, and his stock is always complete. He was married, November 27, 1872. to Miss Logie Steele, of Plattsburg. They have one daughter, Gussie.
W. E. STECK,
cigar manufacturer, and dealer in confectionery, cigars, tobacco and smokers' articles, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1852. His father, Simon, was well known in the mercan- tile circles of that county, being one of its substantial merchants. W. E. was there raised to manhood and educated, and learned the cigar-maker's trade ; for two years was engaged in business in Del- mont, Westmoreland County; came west in 1877, locating in Platts- burg, engaging in the manufacture of cigars. In this branch of industry he has made a success, by placing before the lovers of the weed, a cigar that is deserving of the patronage of all smokers. He is a musician of considerable celebrity, and to him the citizens are indebted for having a well organized band, of which he is leader. Since he became a resident he has been identified withe the musical circles of Northern Missouri, having organized and taught the bands at Princeton, Bethany, Eagle- ville and other points. In 1875, Miss Annie McMurry, of Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, became his wife. They have had two children, one living : Murry. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Ancient Order of United Workingmen.
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JOHN STEELE,
harness maker, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Franklin County, February 19, 1815. When sixteen years of age, he went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he learned the saddlery and harness trade, after which he migrated to Ohio, then to Pennsylvania, and for a time resided in Kentucky. In the spring of 1840, he came to Plattsburg, and engaged in working at his trade, as journeyman, continuing until 1846, when he was selected as candidate for the office of sheriff, and was elected, holding the position until 1850, when California attracted his attention, and he went to that state, making the trip in one hundred days. He engaged in mining, and the stock trade in Lower California, remain- ing eighteen months, when he returned to Plattsburg, and has since resided here. He has followed hotel keeping, brick manufacturing, the liquor trade, stock business, etc. In 1860, he was elected a member of the state legislature. He is very poplularly known, and has been closely associated with Clinton County's progress. In 1843, Miss Susan Randolph became his wife. They have had nine children : Jennie, Mildred, Eliza, Bettie, Laura and Lulu, J. R., Mary R. and Georgie. Mr. S. is a Mason, and a charter member of the Plattsburg Lodge.
ROBERT S. STIPE,
section 25, post office Plattsburg. The subject of this sketch is a native of Kentucky, and was born December 23, 1824. He was raised in the occupation he now follows, and in March, 1872, emigrated to Missouri, settling in this county, where he has since resided. In 1879, he moved to his present place. He has 307 acres of good land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. S. was married November 19, 1847, to Miss Ann L. Smith. Their family consists of Mary O., Martha L., Eliza C., Rob- ert J., and Jeptha B. They are members of the Christian Church.
JAMES STONUM,
liveryman, is a native of Henry County, Kentucky, and was born Feb- ruary 8, 1827. When he was quite young, his father emigrated to Mis- souri, locating in Clinton County, where he has continued to make his home to the present time. The greater portion of his life has been spent in agricultural pursuits. In 1872, he engaged in the livery business. Mr. S. is one of Clinton County's oldest and popular citizens, and has contributed amply towards its development. He has been three times married ; first to Melissa Stonc. They had two sons, Willard and Woodson. His second wife was Lucy McCalloun. For his third wife he married Mrs. Sarah Tillery.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
STONUM BROTHERS,
dealers in dry goods, clothing, gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes and notions, Plattsburg. This firm is composed of Willard and Woodson Stonum, sons of James Stonum, who settled in Clinton County at an early period of its history. They were both born in Clinton County, the former July 25, 1852, and at the age of fourteen commenced his mer- cantile experience as a clerk, and has continued selling goods since that time. He married Miss Elizabeth Steele in 1878. They have one son, George Preston. Woodson was born June 18, 1854, and, like his brother, was bred to the business in which they are now engaged. He was mar- ried in 1877 to Miss Emma Carpenter, of Harrison County. They have two children, Linn and an infant. Both the brothers are members of the Masonic fraternity. They engaged in their present business in 1875 under the firm name of Stonum Bros. & Jones, and after continuing busi- ness in Plattsburg for a few months removed their stock to Eagleville, Harrison County, Missouri, and sold goods there for three years, and then returned to Plattsburg and opened a store under the firm name of Stonum Bros., Mr. H. Jones having withdrawn from the firm. Since their return they have done a large and constantly increasing business. Their stock is selected with great care and with special reference to the wants of their patrons. Their sales for 1880, which amounted to $63,000, are an evidence of their popularity as merchants and their manner of doing business.
E. C. STONEMAN,
manager for Osgood & Murry, proprietors of Plattsburg Steam Saw Mill, and wholesale dealers in walnut lumber. This enterprise was established in June, 1881. They manufacture, exclusively, walnut lum- ber of an excellent grade, and turn out, on an average, 100,000 feet per week. They have, also, mills at Cameron and Gallatin. They have a large mill, also, at Peoria, Illinois, and a yard at Indianoplis, Indiana. Mr. P. A. Murry is a resident of the former city, and Mr. M. J. Osgood, of the latter. The general manager of their Plattsburg mill is Mr. E. C. Stoneman, who is thoroughly skilled in the saw mill business, and a gentleman who, during his short sojourn here, made a host of friends. He is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, where he was raised and edu- cated. In 1868, he removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he followed his present business for eight years. Thence, to Peoria, Illinois, con- tinuing until the present mill was established by the company at Platts- burg.
CAPTAIN JAMES H. THOMAS
was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 6, 1842. His father ( of Welsh descent ) was a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and his mother of
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Dublin, Ireland. His parents early settled in Eastern Ohio, engaging there in farming and stock-raising. James H. lost his father at the age of eight years ; and, four years after, his mother died. An orphan at the age of twelve years, Hon. J. H. Tripp, of Carrollton, Ohio, was chosen his guardian, and so managed the affairs of his ward as to secure him the advantages of a fair preparatory education at the Harlem Springs and Carrollton Academies. He afterward entered Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1863. Three years afterward, the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. During his junior year in college, he received the highest literary honor in the Philo Franklin Society. The civil war was in progress at this time, and young J. H. T., while at home, during a vacation, raised a military company, of which he was chosen captain, but at the earnest entreaty of a brother, A. J. Thomas, who was already in the service as captain of Company H., in the Ninety-eighth Ohio, and who was after- ward killed at the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, he declined the proffered distinction, and returned to college to complete his course, his elder brother, Daniel Thomas, having, in the meantime, been chosen by the company as captain. On completing his collegiate course, in the fall of 1863, he enlisted in the Signal Corps, which had been made an arm of the regular service. He immediately repaired to Washington City for instruction, and while being informed with regard to the signals and uses of the telescope, had occasion to put to practical use his recently acquired knowledge within five miles of his place of training. This was on the occasion of an attack by the Confederates under Breckenridge and Early on the city of Washington. The first gun fired on the advancing enemy was directed by J. H. T., who, by means of a telescope, from Fort Stevens, had discovered their advance. He was sub- sequently sent by E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, to the military academy at Philadelphia, where, after being graduated in tactics, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the regular service and assigned to the Twentieth United States Infantry, with headquarters at New Orleans, Louisiana. He subsequently took an active part in nearly all the military operations in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, serving till the close of the war; when, returning to civil life, he settled in Platts- burg, Missouri, in 1866, where, purchasing the Plattsburg College, he conducted that institution as principal and proprietor for the period of four years. In 1868, he was the regular candidate of the Republican party and contestant for a seat in the Twenty-fifth General Assembly of the State of Missouri, in the year 1868. The contest was ended January 25, 1869, by a compromise, the result of which was that J. H. T. was allowed mileage per diem as a member of the house, until the 25th of January, and Hon. John M. McMichael, his competitor, was awarded
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the contested seat. In 1870, Captain Thomas was appointed United States Deputy Surveyor for Montana Territory, having for the two succeeding years, charge of the United States surveys in Northern Montana, and along the Yellowstone River. Haskell's new United States map shows Lake Blaine, in Montana Territory, near the British line. This was discovered by Captain Thomas, and named after the distinguished Senator and Secretary of State. Returning to Plattsburg, in 1872, he engaged in milling and manufacturing for some time, but, since 1876, has been engaged in the United States Internal Revenue Department, as storekeeper and gauger for the Sixth Missouri district. Captain Thomas has held, for shorter or longer periods, Federal appointments under every President since Lincoln's first term, either in the War Department, Treasury Department, or Interior Department. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Lucy B. Guyer, of Plattsburg, Missouri. They have four children : Dora H., Maud E., Roscoe Conkling, and James Blaine.
REV. EPPE TILLERY,
one of the most noted of the early settlers of Clinton County, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1796. His parents, originally from Virginia, were among the pioneers of Kentucky. In 1819, the year before Missouri was admitted as a state, Mr. Tillery moved to the West, and settled in what is now Clay County, two miles northwest of the site of the present City of Liberty. He was among the first in this section to make an entry in the United States Land Office, then located at Franklin, in Howard County, at that period a place of several thousand inhabitants, and the commercial and business center of the state. In 1844, he moved to Clinton County, and settled on a farm, five miles north- west of Plattsburg, on which he continued to reside up to the period of his death, which occurred October 28, 1873, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mr. Tillery, in early youth, united with the Old Baptist Church, in Kentucky. He was the pioneer preacher of this church in Clinton County, a man of untiring energy, earnestly devoted to the cause of religion, and recognized, for many years, as its chief pil- lar and support. At the period of his death he had been, for half a cen- tury, an active member. The energy which characterized his religious fervor entered into his daily avocations. He was an industrious, labori- ous and enterprising farmer, steadily keeping pace with the progress and advancement of the county he had, from so early a period, assisted in developing. In 1824, he married, in Clay County, Missouri, Melinda Vaughn, daughter of Enos Vaughn, a native of Madison County, Ken- tucky. He had, by this marriage, one child, Nancy, present (1881) wife of Geo. W. Davis, of Plattsburg. In 1846, he entered into partnership with his son-in-law, George W. Davis. This business connection lasted
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twenty years. At the period of the dissolution of the same, in 1866, their joint property, with other assets, included two thousand acres of valuable land. April 20, 1865, Mrs. Tillery died. In 1867, Mr. Tillery, then in his seventieth year, again married. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Dow, a widow lady, whom he married in Boone County, Missouri, and who still survives him. He had by this marriage one child, a daughter, Lena, born September, 1872, and who still lives. In person, Mr. Tillery is described as having been a man five feet ten inches in height, well formed, of robust constitution, and weighing about one hundred and seventy pounds. At the period of his death he left about 1,000 acres of land in Clinton County. He was never a politician, but always voted the Whig ticket, till the demise of that party, when he began and con- tinued to act with the Democracy up to the close of his life.
ELDER S. S. TRICE,
was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, in the year 1810. He migrated with his father to Kentucky, when but three years of age, and settled in Monroe County, where he remained until the age of thirty- five years, when he moved to Missouri, and settled in Clinton County, where he spent the balance of his life. In early youth he manifested strong religious sentiments, and while in Kentucky united with the Pres- byterian Church. He afterwards, at the age of twenty-five, joined the Christian Church, of which he was destined to become one of its bright- est lights in the field of his western labors. He is described by an obit- uary writer, under date of May 18, 1877, as " a matter-of-fact man of God, of the Raccoon John Smith school, and to his pioneer labor the Christian people, especially in Northwest Missouri, owe much for the establish- ment and growth of the church. He was the father of a large family, having been married twice, and leaves a faithful Christian woman and mother, and six children still at home, together with those of his first wife, and who are the heads of families in this vicinity, to mourn his departure. Being a man widely known, and highly esteemed by all wno knew him, they have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. He was buried on Monday last at the 'Old Log Church,' where others of his family rest, and was followed to his last resting-place by a large crowd from the country." The Plattsburg Register of Friday, May 18, 1877, in referring to the death of Elder Trice, says: "It is with sorrow that we chronicle the news of the sudden and unexpected death of the venerable Elder S. S. Trice, of this county. Without a moment's warn- ing, his spirit took its flight to Heaven, on Sunday last, at eleven o'clock and ten minues. In his usual health, seemingly, he was filling an appointment at Bethany Church, about eight miles northwest of this place, and whilst in the midst of his discourse, dropped down in the
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pulpit and expired almost instantly." Elder Trice was for many years prominently identified with the " Old Log Church." Indeed, during his entire life in Missouri, he was its honored and beloved pastor.
JAMES A. TRIMBLE,
grocer, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Clark County, May 14, 1842. When quite young, with his parents, he removed to Harrison County, where he was raised to manhood and educated. His father, John, was an agriculturist in that state. J. A., thus reared, pursued farming until 1873, when he came to Missouri, locating in Plattsburg, and on the 29th of October, of that year, embarked in the grocery trade, which has been a success, his business increasing year by year, and at present is one of the largest in the county. His stock, as complete as can anywhere be found, is second to none. In 1879, he engaged in the distillery business, and in the manufacture of fine whiskies, brandies, etc., has attained to a prominent position. He manufactures 1,000 bar- rels per year, on an average, and thereby adds much to the manufactur- ing interests of Plattsburg. Mr. Trimble married, in 1876, Miss Eliza Steele, daughter of Mr. John Steele, one of Clinton County's pioneers. They have three children : James, Jr., Flora, and Laura. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and a Knight Templar in the order.
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